Discrimination: Scholarships disbursed to students of tech institutes

SHABQADAR: The FATA Secretariat has issued scholarships to student of technical and vocational institutes and has shied away from awarding bursaries for the general category. This is likely to impact their prospects for education.

An official of the Mohmand political administration told The Express Tribune scholarships from the political agent were previously issued to all categories across the board. However, this year the FATA Secretariat only issued scholarships for technical and vocational educational institute along with commerce colleges.

“At least 900 students of vocational institutions will obtain scholarships through their respective colleges,” the official said. “Around Rs2,400 and Rs3,000 will be given to student of different categories in vocational institutes. Meanwhile, scholarships have not been awarded to the general categories”.

In the past

Another official said the scholarship had also been suspended in the past. “However, it was later awarded to students,” he said. “As a result, a double scholarship should be awarded to students next year.”

Voice of dissent

This move has been heavily criticised by the student across Fata. Students have threatened to organise strikes against the failure to issue scholarships.

Nizamuddin Khan, a youth leader from PML-N told The Express Tribune they will raise the issue with the federal government. He added the scholarships were being awarded to students for more than three decades and suspension of scholarship is unacceptable.

According to a statement, Bajaur Student Organisation President Fazal Raman said Fata is plagued by the ongoing scourge of militancy and this has impacted its per capita income.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2016.